Real Madrid will not launch the offensive to sign 23-year-old Arsenal defender William Saliba due to the North London club’s asking price of €80 million.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Defensa Central, William Saliba has been the subject of interest from Real Madrid. However, the reigning La Liga champions have ruled out a move for the Arsenal defender due to the Premier League club’s asking price of €80 million for the 23-year-old centre-back.
William Saliba and his exploits for Arsenal
William Saliba has been one of the best players in the Premier League since breaking into the first-team squad at Arsenal. The Frenchman had to bide his time before establishing a foothold in the senior setup at the Emirates. However, he has not looked back since becoming the undisputed first-choice centre-back for the North London club.
Saliba’s presence at the back has given Mikel Arteta a sense of calm, as he does not make any mistakes while possessing an impeccable reading of the game. The 23-year-old has turned out nearly 100 times thus far for Arsenal while chipping in with five goals and two assists.
In addition, the French defender’s exploits for Arsenal have helped him become the first-choice centre-back for his national side, making 23 appearances for the Azzurri. Meanwhile, Saliba’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs across Europe, including Real Madrid.
La Liga move on the horizon?
Real Madrid’s interest in William Saliba is understandable. The reigning La Liga champions are keen on signing a centre-back in the 2025 summer transfer window, with Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba on the wrong side of 30. In addition, the latter is struggling to recover from his long-term knee injury.
So, Saliba is a viable target for Real Madrid, with Los Blancos viewing him as the priority target for them. However, Arsenal’s asking price has spooked Real Madrid, with the North London club demanding around €80 million to consider parting ways with the Frenchman.
While Saliba is a top target for Real Madrid, Florentino Perez is not ready to cough up €80 million to sign him from Arsenal. However, a move might have been a tall order as the 23-year-old French international wants to remain at the Emirates.
